CRYPTIC CROSSWORD: NO. 28,773

Across

1 Volumes of meaning in speech before House (12)

8 Liquid asset’s acquired that is least complicated (7)

9 Swapped coins, getting old penny (7)

11 More advanced fiction – first for radio, with listener as the lead (7)

12 They may be taken for Dutch courage and morale (7)

13 Time after time, circling little birds do it (5)

14 Seats available in long-distance transport (9)

16 Delivers tabloid newspapers (9)

19 Post Office provides wrapping for stolen picture (5)

21 Part of text – three-quarters of it runs before dramatist’s chapter (7)

23 Sneer at being misdirected – this section of map is right (7)

24 Advanced very quietly to enter bay, say (7)

25 Ape, male, displayed in side gallery (7)

26 What’s lacking in an idiot or dope (12)

Down

1 Justify present being given after poor grades? (7)

2 Boots maybe with fringe seen in clubs first (7)

3 Concerns about interrupting during exams (9)

4 Canoodles and kisses with knight rather than page (5)

5 Discover club in Madrid – one’s to be over 23 (7)

6 Relaid line to carry grand pipe down from Yorkshire perhaps (7)

7 Her event unravelled, attracting fewer still (12)

10 Not pleased, finding sharp bit in pie Dad’s cooked (12)

15 Replying to article on cursing, getting another article rejected (9)

17 What sales rep delivers new design? (7)

18 Enough to support former partner, for instance (7)

19 Minimum goal of student, yours truly, on fire (7)

20 Note that’s played at end of musical show or function (7)

22 Like a place where the drink goes down twice a day (5)